vents, or if Russia consents to
go into the Conference on the English terms; the Cabinet will then
bona fide endeavour after an equitable and honourable settlement.
Lord B.'s antecedents all point to a determination to make any
settlement impossible. He has succeeded so far without provoking the
other Powers, but such a game is surely dangerous, backed though he
by every fool and knave in England."

"July 15th, 1878.--I gather that the Opposition is too disorganised
to resist; and if Parliament endure to be set aside, and allow the
destinies of their country to be affected so enormously by the sole
action of the Crown and the Cabinet, a change is passing over us the
results of which it is impossible to estimate. We do, in fact, take
charge of the Turkish Empire as completely as we took the Empire of
the Moguls. In a little while we shall have to administer on the
Continent as well as in Cyprus, and then will arise a new Asiatic
army. This will bring wars with it before long, and a proportionate
increase of the power of the Executive Government. If Parliament
abdicates its authority now, what may we not anticipate? I have long
felt that the House of Commons could not long continue to govern the
great concerns of the British Empire as it has done. I certainly did
not expect that it would yield without a struggle--nor will it.
Sooner or later we shall see a fight against the tendency which is
giving so startling an evidence of its existence--and what is to
happen then?"

"July 21st, 1878.--Lord Derby's speech was as good as it could
possibly be. What he says now all the world will say two years
hence. How deeply it cut appeared plainly enough in the scenes which
followed. It must be peculiarly distressing to you--distressing in
many ways, for I feel as certain as ever that the end of it all will
be irreparable damage to the Conservative party. One would like to
know Prince Bismarck's private opinion of the Premier and private
opinion also of the nation which has taken him for their chosen
leader. Of course he will dissolve while the glamour is fresh; and
before the effects of the bad champagne with which he has dosed the
country begin to appear--first headache and penitence, and then
exasperation at the provider of the entertainment."

"November 24th, 1878.--The evil shadow of the Premier extends over
the most innocent of our pleasures. I had been looking forward to a
few days at Knowsley as the most enjoyable which I